Mbappe urges patience around teenager Diomande
Kylian Mbappe believes Yan Diomande has what it takes to succeed at Real Madrid and has urged patience around the teenager.
Diomande joined Los Blancos in the most recent transfer window after a stellar campaign with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in 2025-2026.
The 19-year-old contributed to 22 goals in 36 games across all competitions for Leipzig last season, including 13 goals and nine assists.
The Cote d'Ivoire international has started in just two of his seven appearances this season, but did manage to record an assist for Mbappe against Elche last time out.
Mbappe believes Diomande can play a key role for Madrid this season, but insists the club must also protect him.
"He's at a stage in his development. Building relationships between the players, as a team, is key. Diomande is part of that right now," Mbappe told AS.
"From his first day at Valdebebas, we saw he has quality. Then people talk a lot during matches, about the €140 million transfer fee and all that.
"He's young, only 19, but the quality is there. We see it, and he's already shown he has what it takes. We try to protect him, and all the players in the squad, because ultimately we're going to need everyone.
"A season is very long, and if we want to compete for all the titles, we can't compete with just eleven players."
Yan Diomande
Real Madrid CF
Kylian Mbappé Lottin
Real Madrid CF
